Bathing chair

ABSTRACT

A bathing chair is provided that swivels on a fixed base and includes a leg support assembly. The combination of the leg support and the swiveling action of the chair allows a disabled or handicapped bather to comfortably enter and/or exit a bathtub or a shower stall without the aid of another person. The leg support also allows the legs of the bather to clear obstacles, such as the ledge of a bathtub or the lip of a shower stall, without the aid of another person. The bathing chair also includes a single support assembly that is capable of supporting the bathing chair and a bather without the need for any additional support structures. The need for only a single support assembly to adequately support the chair provides a bathing chair that is sturdy, lightweight and simple to install.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/344,189 filed Dec. 28, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to bathing chairs, and moreparticularly relates to an improved bathing chair for enabling anindividual to easily maneuver into and while in a bathtub, shower orother bathing area.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0003] Often times it can be difficult for an individual to enter and/orexit a bathtub or a shower. It can also sometimes be difficult for anindividual to maneuver around once they are positioned inside a bathtubor a shower. For example, an individual suffering from arthritis orother joint problems may have difficulty lifting his or her legs overthe side of a bathtub or shower stall while entering and exiting. Thearthritis or joint problems may also make it impossible for theindividual to stand up in a bathtub or shower, or to maneuver around inthe bathtub or shower so as to completely cover the entire body withwater. An individual with a handicap of the legs may also find itdifficult, if not impossible, to lift his or her legs over the side of abathtub or shower stall, and he or she may not have the capacity tostand up in a bathtub or shower, or to maneuver around in a bathtub orshower. The elderly and other persons who may be weak or frail areanother example group of individuals who may suffer from theseaforementioned problems.

[0004] Bathing chairs have been proposed which consist of chairs mountedinside bathtubs or shower stalls with various mounting mechanisms. Theseproposed bathing chairs have disadvantages. Up until now, a bathingchair has not been designed that has a mounting means that is sturdy,versatile, easily attached, and does not require any supplementalsupport structures to adequately support a bather. Additionally, abathing chair with a leg lift for allowing a bather to easily lift hisor her legs in order to clear the ledge of a bathtub or the lip of ashower stall has not been disclosed. Finally, a bathing chair is neededwhich utilizes a combined leg lift and swivel seat for allowing a batherto lift his or her legs and move safely into the confines of a bathtubor shower, without the aid or help of another individual.

[0005] The present invention has been developed in view of theforegoing, and to address other deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a bathing chairfor bathing in a bathing area including a seat and a seat supportassembly extending from the seat and adapted and configured for securingthe bathing chair to a floor of the bathing area.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a bathingchair for bathing in a bathing area including a seat and means forsecuring the bathing chair to a floor of the bathing area.

[0008] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a bathingchair for bathing in a bathing area including a seat and a leg supportassembly moveably attached to the seat.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a bathingchair for bathing in a bathing area including a seat and means foradjustably supporting the legs of a bather.

[0010] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a bathingchair for bathing in a bathing area, the bathing area including at leastone ledge, including a seat and a leg support assembly moveably attachedto the seat.

[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention will be moreapparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of a bathing chair inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a back isometric view of a bathing chair inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a side view of a bathing chair in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a swivel assembly and twosuction cup assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 5 shows a front view of a swivel assembly and two suction cupassemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 shows a back isometric view of a bathing chair inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 shows a side view of a bathing chair in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a swivel assembly and twosuction cup assemblies in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0020]FIG. 9 shows a front view of a swivel assembly and two suction cupassemblies in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0021]FIG. 10 shows a back isometric view of a bathing chair inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a swivel assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 12 shows a front view of a swivel assembly in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 13 shows a front isometric view of a bathing chair inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 14 shows a front isometric view of a bathing chair inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 15 shows a front isometric view of a bathing chair inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027]FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a bathing chair 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The bathingchair 10 may be used in a bathing area. As used herein, the term“bathing area” means a shower stall, bathtub, jacuzzi, whirlpool, or anyother suitable structure or environment for allowing an individual tobathe. In one embodiment, the bathing area may include a floor 50 and atleast one ledge. Such a ledge may vary in height and width, and iscommonly used to contain water and other liquids in the confines of thebathing area, as is well known in the art.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bathing chair 10 includes a seat12 and means for adjustably supporting a bather's legs, such as a legsupport assembly 14 movably attached to the seat 12. However, it will beappreciated that other means for adjustably supporting a bather's legsmay be used in conjunction with the invention, as claimed and disclosedherein. More specifically, the leg support assembly 14 may include aframe 16, support straps 18 spanning laterally across the frame 16, andone or more handles 20 for raising and lowering the leg support assembly14. The handles 20 may optionally include handle caps 22, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The leg support straps 18 may be made of any suitablematerial, such as but not limited to, plastic, vinyl, or fabric.Alternatively, a solid piece of material may be attached to the frame 16for supporting the legs of a bather, such as a solid sheet of vinyl,plastic, fabric, or netting. As most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theleg support assembly 14 may be pivotally attached to the seat 12 withtwo pins 24 (only one of which is shown). Alternatively, the leg supportassembly 14 may be attached to the seat 12 with any suitable fasteningmeans that would allow the leg support assembly 14 to move in relationto the seat 12.

[0029] When the bathing chair 10 is used in a bathing area including atleast one ledge, the bathing chair may be placed in a docking position,and/or a bathing position. As used herein, the term “docking position”describes a bathing chair positioned in a bathing area such that atleast a portion of the leg support assembly crosses over a docking ledgeof the bathing area and extends outside of the bathing area, forallowing a bather to conveniently enter and exit the bathing chair. Asused herein, the term “docking ledge” defines a ledge of a bathing areathat a bather would use to enter and/or exit the bathing area when thebathing chair is in the docking position. In a bathing area having morethan one ledge, it is to be understood that the bathing chair may beoriented so that any one of the ledges may be used as the docking ledge.Such a docking ledge 11 is shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, the term“bathing position” describes a bathing chair positioned in a bathingarea such that the leg support assembly is substantially within theconfines of the bathing area, allowing the bather to be fully andconveniently cleansed. FIG. 1 illustrates a bathing chair 10 in thebathing position.

[0030] In one embodiment, when the bathing chair 10 is in a bathingposition, the leg support assembly 14 may adjustably pivot around ahorizontal axis that is substantially perpendicular with a docking ledgeof the bathing area, such as the docking ledge 11. When the bathingchair 10 is in a docking position, the leg support assembly 14 mayadjustably pivot around a horizontal axis that is substantially parallelwith a docking ledge of the bathing area, such as the docking ledge 11.In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the leg support assembly 14 maypivot throughout an angle of rotation of at least about 40 degrees,preferably throughout an angle of rotation of at least about 60 degrees.In a particular embodiment, the leg support assembly 14 may pivotthroughout an angle of rotation of at least about 90 degrees. In anotherembodiment, the leg support assembly 14 may be moveable from a firstposition to a second position that is vertically higher than the firstposition, as also shown in FIG. 3. By allowing the leg support assembly14 to be moveably and/or pivotally attached to the seat 12 of thebathing chair 10, a bather may use the handles 20 to raise the legsupport assembly 14 and his or her legs above the docking ledge 11 of abathing area 10 when the bathing chair is in the docking position, andto lower the leg support assembly 14 and his or her legs into thebathing area for bathing when the chair is in the bathing position. Inthis embodiment, a bather may enter and/or exit the bathing area andclear the docking ledge of the bathing area without the aid of anotherindividual.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg support assembly 14 mayinclude a locking assembly 15 to secure the leg support assembly in asubstantially raised position. The locking assembly includes a lockhousing 17, a locking pin 19, and a lock release actuator, such as alever or button 21, for releasing the locking pin 19. Optionally, astring or rope may be attached to the lock release actuator 21 to aid inreleasing the locking pin 19. The seat 12 includes a keeper 23 with arecess or a cavity for receiving the locking pin 19 when the leg supportassembly 14 is in a substantially raised position.

[0032] As most clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bathing chair 10includes means for securing the bathing chair within the bathing area,such as a seat support assembly 26 having a first end 28 extending fromsubstantially the middle of the underside 30 of the seat 12 to the floor50 of the bathing area. However, it will be appreciated that other meansfor securing the bathing chair within the bathing area may be used inconjunction with the invention, as claimed and disclosed herein. Morespecifically, the seat support assembly 26 may be a single supportmember such as a substantially thick support tube 27 attached tosubstantially the middle of an underside 30 of the seat 12 with anysuitable attachment means such as welding or mechanical fasteners. Thesupport tube 27 is preferably thick enough to secure the bathing chairwithin the bathing area, i.e., to provide a bathing chair that is strongand sturdy and capable of adequately supporting a bather without theneed for any additional or supplemental support members or structures.In one embodiment, the support tube 27 may have a thickness of at leastabout 2 inches, preferably a thickness of at least about 3 inches. In aparticular embodiment, the support tube 27 may have a thickness of atleast about 4 inches.

[0033] As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, in one embodiment the supporttube 27 may be formed as a generally S-shaped member, in order to givethe bathing chair more balance and stability. In this embodiment, theS-shaped support tube 27 may be capable of supporting a bather of up toapproximately 300 pounds in the seat 12 without requiring any additionalsupport structures. The support tube 27 may be made out of a materialsuch as PVC plastic, metal, resin, or any other suitable synthetic ornaturally occurring material that would provide the needed supportstrength. In this embodiment, when the bathing chair is in the bathingposition, the seat support assembly 26 may extend from the seat 12 andmount to the floor 50 of the bathing area at an offset measured in adirection substantially parallel to the docking ledge 11 of the bathingarea. When the bathing chair is in the docking position, the seatsupport assembly 26 may extend from the seat 12 and mount to the floor50 of the bathing area at an offset measured in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the docking ledge 11 of the bathing area.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the support tube 27 may be attached to themiddle of the underside 30 of the seat 12 by a flange 29. FIG. 3 showsthat the flange 29 may have a diameter greater than the thickness of thesupport tube 27. In one embodiment, the flange 29 may have a diameter ofat least about 4 inches, preferably a diameter of at least about 5inches. In a particular embodiment, the flange 29 may have a diameter ofat least about 6 inches. By using such a flange 29 to attach the supporttube 27 to the middle of the underside 30 of the seat 12, the weight ofa bather sitting in the seat may be more evenly distributed, giving thebathing chair 10 more strength and stability.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a second end 34 of the seat supportassembly 26 may be attached to a swivel assembly 36. The swivel assembly36 allows the bathing chair 10 to rotate around a substantial verticalaxis of rotation, so that a bather may easily enter and exit the bathingchair, and may comfortably maneuver around while bathing. In oneembodiment, the chair may be rotated from the docking position to thebathing position, and vice versa.

[0036] The details of the swivel assembly 36 are shown most clearly inFIGS. 4 and 5. The swivel assembly 36 includes a base plate 38, an upperplate 40 and a spacer 42 disposed between the base plate 38 and theupper plate 40. As most clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the spacer 42may be angled upward, which in turn causes the upper plate 40 to bepositioned at an angle A in relation to the base plate 38. Mounting thebathing chair 10 on such an angled swivel assembly 36 may provide thebathing chair with optimum balance and stability. In one embodiment, theangle A ranges from about 2 degrees to about 30 degrees, preferably fromabout 5 degrees to about 15 degrees. In a particular embodiment, angle Amay be chosen to be about 8 degrees.

[0037] The base plate 38 of the swivel assembly 36 may includereinforcing bars 44 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The base plate 38 of theswivel assembly 36 also may include holes 46 and bolts 48 or othersuitable fasteners (only one of which is shown) for securing the baseplate 38 of the swivel assembly 36 to various mounting means formounting the bathing chair 10 to the floor 50 of a bathing area. Theupper plate 40 may rotate with respect to the base plate 38 around asubstantial vertical axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the upperplate 40 may rotate approximately 360 degrees, which allows a bather tohave the maximum amount of maneuverability while in the bathing chair10. The upper plate 40 may rotate with respect to the base plate 38 byany means well known in the art, for example, by a ball bearing orroller bearing race.

[0038] FIGS. 1-3 show that the swivel assembly 36 of the bathing chair10 may be secured to a floor 50 of a bathing area with one or more floormount supports, such as suction cup assemblies 52. However, it is to beunderstood that other suitable floor mount supports may be used and arewithin the scope of the present invention, such as plates or bars thatcould be secured directly to the floor 50 of the bathing area. As shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction cup assemblies 52 may be offset from theseat support assembly 26 in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe docking ledge 11 of the bathing area in order to give the bathingchair 10 substantial lateral, i.e., side to side, support.

[0039]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the details of the suction cup assembly52. The suction cup assembly 52 includes a suction cup 54 and a frame 56secured to the suction cup 54 by any suitable fastening means such aswelding or mechanical fasteners. The suction cup 54 may be any suitabletype of suction cup known in the art. Suction cup 54 may have anappropriate diameter to give the bathing chair added support in alldirections. In one embodiment, the suction cup 54 may have a diameter ofat least about 4 inches, preferably a diameter of at least about 6inches. In a particular embodiment, the suction cup 54 may have adiameter of at least about 8 inches. The frame 56 of the suction cupassembly 52 may be secured to the base plate 38 of the swivel assembly36 via the holes 46 and the bolts 48 or other suitable fasteners (onlyone of which is shown), as most clearly shown in FIG. 4. The frame 56 ofthe suction cup 54 also may include a handle 58 to aid in placing andremoving the suction cup assembly 52. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4,the suction cup assembly 52 also may include an evacuation lever 60.When the evacuation lever 60 is pressed or pumped, the suction cup 54 isevacuated, and becomes securely attached to the support surface 50. Thesuction cup 54 may also be evacuated by any other means known in theart, and these means are within the scope of the present invention. Inone embodiment, the suction cup 54 may withstand a force of up toapproximately 175 pounds while still remaining securely attached to thesupport surface 50.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the bathing chair 10 may also include abackrest 62. The backrest 62 may include a frame 64 and back supportstraps 66 spanning laterally across the backrest frame 64. The backsupport straps 66 may be made of any suitable material, such as but notlimited to, plastic, vinyl, or fabric. Alternatively, a solid piece ofmaterial may be attached to the frame 64 for supporting the back of abather, such as a solid sheet of vinyl, plastic, fabric, or netting. Asshown most clearly in FIG. 3, the backrest 62 may be attached to theunderside 30 of the seat 12 with any appropriate securing means, such aswelding or mechanical fasteners.

[0041]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a bathing chair 68 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. The bathing chair may beused in a bathing area having a floor 86 and a docking ledge 69. Thebathing chair 68 includes a seat 70 with a backrest 72 and a leg supportassembly 74 both attached to the seat 70. In this embodiment, the legsupport assembly 74 is similar in structure and operation to the legsupport assembly 14 previously described herein. The leg supportassembly 74 may optionally include a locking assembly 75 to secure theleg support assembly in a substantially raised position. The bathingchair 68 further includes a seat support assembly 76, similar instructure and operation to the seat support assembly 26 previouslydescribed herein, having a first end 78 attached to an underside 80 ofthe seat 70. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a second end 82 of the seatsupport assembly 76 may be attached to a swivel assembly 84. The swivelassembly 84 of the bathing chair 68 may be secured to the floor 86 ofthe bathing area with one or more floor mount supports, such as suctioncup assemblies 88, which are similar in structure and operation to thesuction cup assemblies 52 previously described herein. As most clearlyshown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the swivel assembly 84 does not include anangled upper plate in this embodiment of the invention.

[0042]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the details of the swivel assembly 84.The swivel assembly 84 includes a base plate 90, an upper plate 92 and aspacer 94 disposed between the base plate 90 and the upper plate 92. Thebase plate 90 of the swivel assembly 84 may also include holes 96 andbolts 98 or other suitable fasteners (only one of which is shown) forsecuring the base plate 90 of the swivel assembly 84 to various mountingmeans for mounting the bathing chair 68 on a support surface 86, such asone or more suction cup assemblies 88. The upper plate 92 may rotatewith respect to the base plate 90 around a substantial vertical axis ofrotation. In one embodiment, the upper plate 92 may rotate approximately360 degrees, which allows a bather to have the maximum amount ofmaneuverability while in the bathing chair 68. The upper plate 92 mayrotate with respect to the base plate 90 by any means well known in theart, for example, by a ball bearing or roller bearing race.

[0043]FIG. 10 illustrates a bathing chair 100 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. The bathing chair may be used in abathing area having a floor 118 and a docking ledge 101. The bathingchair 100 includes a seat 102 with a backrest 104 and a leg supportassembly 106 both attached to the seat 102. In this embodiment, the legsupport assembly 106 is similar in structure and operation to the legsupport assembly 14 previously described herein. The leg supportassembly 106 may optionally include a locking assembly 107 to secure theleg support assembly in a substantially raised position. The bathingchair 100 further includes a seat support assembly 108, similar instructure and operation to the seat support assembly 26 previouslydescribed herein, having a first end 110 attached to an under side 112of the seat 102. As shown in FIG. 10, a second end 114 of the seatsupport assembly 108 is attached to a swivel assembly 116. In thisembodiment, the swivel assembly 116 may be directly secured to the floor118 of the bathing area with any suitable securing means.

[0044]FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the details of the swivel assembly 116.The swivel assembly 116 includes a base plate 120, an upper plate 122and a spacer 124 disposed between the base plate 120 and the upper plate122. As most clearly shown in FIG. 12, the spacer 124 may be angledupward, which in turn causes the upper plate 122 to be positioned at anangle B in relation to the base plate 120. Mounting the bathing chair100 on such an angled swivel assembly 116 provides the bathing chairwith optimum balance and stability. In one embodiment, the angle B mayrange from about 2 degrees to about 30 degrees, preferably from about 5degrees to about 15 degrees. In a particular embodiment, angle B may bechosen to be about 8 degrees. However, it is to be understood that thespacer 124 of the swivel assembly 116 is not required to be angled, anda spacer that is not angled, such as the non-angled spacer 94 shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, may be used and is within the scope of the presentinvention.

[0045] The base plate 120 of the swivel assembly 116 also includes holes126 and bolts 128 or other suitable fasteners (only one of which isshown) for securing the base plate 120 of the swivel assembly 116directly to a floor 118 of a bathing area. The upper plate 122 mayrotate with respect to the base plate 120 around a substantial verticalaxis of rotation. In one embodiment, the upper plate 122 may rotateapproximately 360 degrees, which allows a bather to have the maximumamount of maneuverability while in the bathing chair 100. The upperplate 122 may rotate with respect to the base plate 120 by any meanswell known in the art, for example, by a ball bearing or roller bearingrace.

[0046] The bathing chair 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 operates as follows. Whena bather wishes to enter a bathtub or a shower, the bather grasps thebathing chair 10 and rotates the chair on the swivel assembly 36 untilthe chair is in the docking position, making it convenient for thebather to sit in the chair. At this point the leg support assembly 14may be in a substantially lowered position as shown with broken lines inFIG. 3. Once the bather is securely positioned in the bathing chair, thebather may then pull on the handles 20 of the leg support assembly 14and raise his or her legs until the locking assembly 15 locks into placeand the leg support assembly 14 is in a substantially raised positionabove the docking ledge 11 of the bathing area. As illustrated in FIG.3, the leg support assembly 14 may be continuously pivoted and adjustedfrom a position that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of theseat 12 to a position that is substantially parallel to the plane of theseat 12.

[0047] The leg support assembly 14 operates through the use of a leverprinciple, which is well known in the art. Because the length of the legsupport assembly handles 20 is much shorter in proportion to the lengthof the leg support assembly frame 16, the bather may easily lift his orher own legs by exerting only a small fraction of the full forcerequired to lift the legs. As a result, the bather may move the legsupport assembly from a substantially lowered position to asubstantially raised position, and vice-versa, while only having to movehis or her legs a short distance.

[0048] Once the leg support assembly 14 is locked into a substantiallyraised position, the bather's legs will be high enough so that they mayclear any obstacles, such as the docking ledge of a bathtub or a showerstall. With the aid of a handle, knob, or other gripping means (notshown) attached to a convenient location, such as the wall of a bathtubor a shower stall, the bather may then grasp the gripping means androtate the bathing chair 10 into the bathing position. The combinationoperation of the leg support assembly 14 and the swivel assembly 36allows a bather to enter and/or exit a bathing area and to clear anyobstacles in the way without the aid of an additional person. Oncesituated within the bathing area in the bathing position, the bather maythen release the locking assembly 15 on the leg support assembly 14,causing the leg support assembly to assume a substantially loweredposition, thereby allowing a bather to lower his or her legs comfortablyinto the bathing area.

[0049] These steps may be reversed to allow the bather to exit thebathtub or shower stall. It will be appreciated that the bathing chair68 shown in FIG. 6 and the bathing chair 100 shown in FIG. 10 both mayoperate in substantially the same manner as described above.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 10, the seat 12, 70, and/or 102 mayinclude a plurality of small apertures 130 for allowing excess liquidsto drain from the seat of the bathing chair. As also shown in FIGS. 1,2, 6 and 10, the seat 12, 70, and/or 102 may include seat handles 132for allowing a bather to grab and hold onto the seat. The seat 12, 70,and/or 102 of the bathing chair 10, 68 or 100 may also include atextured seating surface 134 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0051] In one embodiment, a bathing chair 136 may include a seatbelt 138for restraining the bather in the bathing chair 136, as shown in FIG.13.

[0052] In another embodiment, a bathing chair 140 may include a showersprayer 142 as shown in FIG. 14 for allowing the bather to be morethoroughly and conveniently cleansed.

[0053] In another embodiment, a bathing chair 144 may include a productholder 146 for holding various products, for example, shampoo and/orsoap. This is illustrated in FIG. 15.

[0054] Although the invention has been primarily described as being usedin a bathtub or a shower, it is to be understood that the presentinvention can be used in other locations where a handicapped or disabledperson may require assistance to maneuver around, and such uses arewithin the scope of the present invention. Example locations may be, butare not limited to, a car or a van.

[0055] Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have beendescribed above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident tothose skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of thepresent invention may be made without departing from the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bathing chair for bathing in a bathing areacomprising: a seat; and a seat support assembly extending from the seatand adapted and configured for securing the bathing chair to a floor ofthe bathing area.
 2. A bathing chair according to claim 1, wherein theseat support assembly comprises a single support member.
 3. A bathingchair according to claim 1, wherein a first end of the seat supportassembly is attached to an underside of the seat.
 4. A bathing chairaccording to claim 3, wherein the first end of the seat support assemblyis attached to substantially the middle of the underside of the seat. 5.A bathing chair according to claim 4, wherein the seat support assemblyis a support tube having a thickness of at least 2 inches, the supporttube attached by a flange to substantially the middle of the undersideof the seat.
 6. A bathing chair according to claim 5, wherein thesupport tube is generally S-shaped.
 7. A bathing chair according toclaim 1, wherein the seat support assembly extends from the seat andmounts to the floor of the bathing area at an offset measured in adirection substantially parallel to a docking ledge of the bathing areawhen the bathing chair is in a bathing position.
 8. A bathing chairaccording to claim 1, wherein the seat support assembly extends from theseat and mounts to the floor of the bathing area at an offset measuredin a direction substantially perpendicular to a docking ledge of thebathing area when the bathing chair is in a docking position.
 9. Abathing chair according to claim 1, further comprising a leg supportassembly moveably attached to the seat.
 10. A bathing chair according toclaim 1, wherein the seat is rotatable around a substantially verticalaxis.
 11. A bathing chair according to claim 1, further comprising aswivel assembly for rotating the seat around a substantially verticalaxis.
 12. A bathing chair according to claim 11, further comprising aswivel assembly including a substantially horizontal base plate and anupper plate pivotally mounted on the base plate at an angle of up to 30degrees in relation to the base plate.
 13. A bathing chair according toclaim 12, wherein the angle ranges from about 2 degrees to about 15degrees.
 14. A bathing chair according to claim 1, further comprising atleast one floor mount support for attaching the bathing chair to thefloor of the bathing area.
 15. A bathing chair according to claim 14,further comprising a plurality of floor mount supports for attaching thebathing chair to the floor of the bathing area.
 16. A bathing chairaccording to claim 14, wherein the floor mount supports are offset fromthe seat support assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular toa docking ledge of the bathing area.
 17. A bathing chair according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one suction cup assembly forattaching the bathing chair to the floor of the bathing area.
 18. Abathing chair according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality ofsuction cup assemblies for attaching the bathing chair to the floor ofthe bathing area.
 19. A bathing chair according to claim 17, wherein thesuction cup assemblies are offset from the seat support assembly in adirection substantially perpendicular to a docking ledge of the bathingarea.
 20. A bathing chair according to claim 1, further comprising abackrest attached to the seat.
 21. A bathing chair according to claim 1,further comprising a seatbelt attached to the seat.
 22. A bathing chairaccording to claim 1, further comprising a product holder supported onthe bathing chair.
 23. A bathing chair according to claim 1, furthercomprising a shower sprayer supported on the bathing chair.
 24. Abathing chair for bathing in a bathing area comprising: a seat; andmeans for securing the bathing chair to a floor of the bathing area. 25.A bathing chair according to claim 24, wherein the means for securingthe bathing chair to the floor of the bathing area is a seat supportassembly extending from an underside of the seat to the floor of thebathing area.
 26. A bathing chair for bathing in a bathing areacomprising: a seat; and a leg support assembly moveably attached to theseat.
 27. A bathing chair according to claim 26, wherein the leg supportassembly is pivotally attached to the seat.
 28. A bathing chairaccording to claim 27, wherein the leg support assembly pivots around asubstantially horizontal axis.
 29. A bathing chair according to claim28, wherein the leg support assembly pivots throughout an angle ofrotation of at least 40 degrees.
 30. A bathing chair according to claim26, wherein the leg support assembly is moveable from a first positionto a second position that is vertically higher than the first position.31. A bathing chair according to claim 26, wherein the leg supportassembly is moveable to a raised position when the bathing chair is in adocking position, and is moveable to a lowered position when the bathingchair is in a bathing position.
 32. A bathing chair according to claim26, wherein the leg support assembly includes one or more handles forraising and lowering the leg support assembly.
 33. A bathing chairaccording to claim 26, further comprising a seat support assembly havinga first end attached to an underside of the seat.
 34. A bathing chairaccording to claim 26, wherein the seat is rotatable around asubstantially vertical axis.
 35. A bathing chair according to claim 26,further comprising a swivel assembly for rotating the seat around asubstantially vertical axis.
 36. A bathing chair according to claim 35,further comprising a swivel assembly including a substantiallyhorizontal base plate and an upper plate pivotally mounted on the baseplate at an angle of up to 30 degrees in relation to the base plate. 37.A bathing chair according to claim 36, wherein the angle ranges fromabout 2 degrees to about 15 degrees.
 38. A bathing chair according toclaim 26, further comprising at least one floor mount support forattaching the bathing chair to a floor of the bathing area.
 39. Abathing chair according to claim 38, further comprising a plurality offloor mount supports for attaching the bathing chair to the floor of thebathing area.
 40. A bathing chair according to claim 38, wherein thefloor mount supports are offset from the seat support assembly in adirection substantially perpendicular to a docking ledge of the bathingarea.
 41. A bathing chair according to claim 26, further comprising atleast one suction cup assembly for attaching the bathing chair to afloor of the bathing area.
 42. A bathing chair according to claim 41,further comprising a plurality of suction cup assemblies for attachingthe bathing chair to the floor of the bathing area.
 43. A bathing chairaccording to claim 41, wherein the suction cup assemblies are offsetfrom the seat support assembly in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to a docking ledge of the bathing area.
 44. A bathingchair according to claim 26, further comprising a backrest attached tothe seat.
 45. A bathing chair according to claim 26, further comprisinga seatbelt attached to the seat.
 46. A bathing chair according to claim26, further comprising a product holder supported on the bathing chair.47. A bathing chair according to claim 26, further comprising a showersprayer supported on the bathing chair.
 48. A bathing chair for bathingin a bathing area comprising: a seat; and means for adjustablysupporting the legs of a bather.
 49. A bathing chair according to claim48, wherein the means for adjustably supporting the legs of the batheris a leg support assembly moveably attached to the seat.
 50. A bathingchair for bathing in a bathing area, the bathing area including at leastone ledge, comprising: a seat; and a leg support assembly moveablyattached to the seat.
 51. A bathing chair according to claim 50, whereinthe leg support assembly is moveable to a substantially raised positionabove the at least one ledge of the bathing area.
 52. A bathing chairaccording to claim 50, wherein the bathing chair is rotatable around asubstantially vertical axis of rotation.
 53. A bathing chair accordingto claim 52, wherein the leg support assembly is moveable to a raisedposition when the bathing chair is rotated to a docking position, andthe leg support assembly is moveable to a lowered position when thebathing chair is rotated to a bathing position.